The Never Ending Inheritance

Vail, Colorado

The never ending inheritance.

The Scriptures encourage us to leave and inheritance for our children. "Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren..." Proverbs 13:22 God's Word to the Nations

However, many of us know or have experienced the fact that an inheritance can tear families apart. Brothers and sisters no longer speak to each other because of a perception of injustice in how an inheritance is distributed. What people forget is that with time material goods vanish.

Granted, people have invested an inheritance and ended up wealthy, but chances are that within a short period of time an inheritance will disappear. The car will end up in a junkyard. The house will be sold to someone else. The money will drop out of sight.

Though it can be a good thing to leave material possessions as an inheritance, better is the inheritance that will not disappear, vanish or drop out of sight. The most important inheritance we leave behind is our faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith in Christ is an eternal inheritance of treasure laid up in heaven.

You have inherited your faith in Jesus Christ from someone else. This faith in the crucified and risen Savior has been handed down from the time of Jesus himself. It will be an inheritance that will continue to pass from generation to generation as long as the church exists.

As you think about your will consider the most important gift you can give, not only to your children, but your children's children: Your faith in Christ.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Never Fading Flower

Betty Ford Alpine Garden, Vail, Colorado

Many flowering plants only bloom for a short period of time. As such, we spend most of the year waiting for these plants to flower.

Why are we willing to grow plants that only bloom for a fraction of the year? Because the beauty of these flowers, like the ones above, captivate us.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8 English Standard Version

The only flower that will never fade is the Word of God. It was the Word of God that called creation into existence. It was the Word of God that was born into this world, crucified on the cross and raised from the dead. It is the Word of God on which we daily feed.

What Jesus has done for us will never fade, so we no longer wait, but experience the beauty of God's love for us every day. We know that as the days pass and the years roll on, the beauty and fragrance of God's passion for us will always bloom.

Everyday is walk through God's garden of his perennial love.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Hope for the Barren

Vail, Colorado

Many of the mountain communities of Colorado display amazing sculptures. Vail is one of those communities.  It is possible to spend a day traveling though the city viewing these sculptures.

This sculpture of a mother and child caught my attention. As with all good pieces of art, there is a story in this sculpted bronze. What you see in this mother and child, what I see and even what the artist depicted might be different from each other, yet there is a story told for all of us.

A story I see in this mother and child is reflected in Psalm 113, "The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens... He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.  Praise the Lord!" Psalm 113:4,9 English Standard Version

The Bible tells many stories of barren women who are graced with children. Sarah, Rachel and Hannah come to my mind. Through this picture of barrenness God gives us hope when there seems to be no hope.

God's story for sinful human creatures is ultimately a story of hope. God used barren women to advance his plan of salvation for all humanity showing us that hope is not something we create, but a gift from God.

Our hope is rooted in Jesus. I'm not promising God is going to make everything turn out wonderful for you this side of eternity, but the end of the story is guaranteed. The gift of heaven is a present day reality that we will one day fully experience.

We many not shake the dust of barrenness from our lives here, but the day is coming when God's salvation will make us joyous.

I pray that you taste this joy today!

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Life of Significance

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, Colorado

The illusion of this picture is that this white flowering plant is growing on top of the rock. It appears to be growing where it shouldn't.  It is impossible for roots to find nutrients on hardened rock. Maybe that's the way your life feels. Your're looking for nutrients yet you feel starved.

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35 English Standard Version

We know how to purchase physical food, but what about the hunger for significance? Where does it come from? Is there a convenience store that sells significance?

There is the illusion that somehow we'll find a way to purchase significance. The question is not whether it's possible to live a significant life, but from where do we derive our significance?

We'll discover significance when we digest Christ.

You cannot buy significance. Instead, you have been purchased by Christ. Your significance is rooted in Jesus and what he has declared you to be.

Through Christ, you are precious to God. And since you are precious to him, your life is significant.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Powered by the Spirit

Vail, Colorado

I like hanging out in Vail in the summer more than in the winter. It can be quite crowded on a weekend, but during the week it's not bad at all. It's worth walking around town for the sculptures (more pics coming in future blogs).

We had parked our car in the parking garage and made our way to Vail Village when these pinwheels sculptures caught my eye. There's nothing special about them except that they took me back to my childhood and playing with pinwheels.

The power behind a pinwheel is the wind.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 New English Translation

Both the Hebrew and Greek words for "spirit" literally mean wind. Given the number of wind turbines that I see on my travels from Colorado to Oregon it is evident that there is a great deal of power in the wind.

There is a great deal of power in the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Wind of God. According to Paul, the Spirit has the ability to produce hope in our lives. This hope is rooted in what God has done for us through the merits of Jesus and it is rooted in the promises that Jesus makes to us.

He has promised to never leave us (Matthew 28:20).

He has promised to return for us (Acts 1:11)

The Holy Spirit, the Wind of God, is the power behind God's promises.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Seat with Christ

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, Colorado

"Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne." Revelation 3:21 New Living Translation

I have a feeling that the throne on which we will sit is quite comfortable and majestic, a place where we will not remember the pain and struggle of this present hour. Taking a photo of this "bench" will not be as important as sitting on it.

This promise of rest is for those who remain victorious as a part of the church militant (the church on earth). There are many struggles that tempt us to throw up our hands and say, "what's the use?" We are tempted to join the rest of the world and muddle our way through life.

Yet the Holy Spirit keeps us in this faith and is the power behind our life of faith. It is the Holy Spirit who continues to point us to God's victory through Jesus in his life, death and resurrection. This promise of rest is much greater than the temptation to give up.

If you are like me, you can't wait to see that place where we'll sit with Christ.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

A Sense of Mystery

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

My advice to anyone who has taken a bad picture: Convert it to black and white. I took a hike on a trail  outside of the YMCA camp in Estes Park. It was the middle of the afternoon (a difficult time to take pictures because of the harsh lighting) and I was using a long lens. When you don't use a tripod with a long lens things get fussy.

But convert it to black and white (plus other adjustments) and presto! you have a picture that communicates a sense of mystery.

"God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery-which is Christ living in you, giving you the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27 God's Word to the Nations

The miracle of God is that through Christ we have been convert. We were messed up, broken individuals and through the power of Jesus' crucifixion we are declared not guilty of sin.

The mystery that this conversion has worked is that of Christ living in us. Let's take on this word "us" for a minute. Stating the obvious "us" is plural. Christ dwells in the community of the baptized. Paul cannot conceive of Christ dwelling in the individual without Christ dwelling in the community.

This point was recently etched in my brain when I participated in a spiritual retreat with my prayer partner. We were walking and praying, not with each other but in the presence of each other. That day would not have been as meaningful for me had I not been with my brother in Christ.

This is the mystery that God converts us sinners then dwells in us in the context of community. It's the same as taking a throwaway picture and converting it to a piece of art.

By the way, a happy summer to all.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Rain of Deliverance

Estes Park, Colorado

If you stare at these clouds long enough they will appear to be moving. Even though we have over 300 days of sun in Colorado, the sky still produces many days of clouds. It is not unusual for a day to start out cloudless and finish with pouring rain.

"O sky, rain down from above! Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance! Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow, and deliverance may sprout up along with it. I, the LORD, create it." Isaiah 45:8 New English Translation

What a beautiful picture of God's deliverance. Isaiah recognizes that God's people needed deliverance; deliverance from their rebellion against him and, in the future, deliverance from their captivity in Babylon.

From what do you need deliverance? Isaiah is speaking to God's people, those who were intimate with the ways of the Lord, but they needed deliverance.

We are the baptized of God, those who have been adopted into God's family through merits of Jesus Christ, and yet we too need deliverance.

The prayer of Isaiah is for the soil of our lives to soak up the salvation of God. In other words, Isaiah pleads with God that our lives might be nourished by him and that his deliverance might sprout in our lives.

Jesus Christ is God's rain of deliverance for you and me.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Proper Perspective

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

It can be a struggle for photographers to implant a sense of perspective to photographs. One technique is to place an individual in the picture. When looking at this waterfall the viewer isn't quite sure how big it is, that is, until you see the fisherman in the middle right of the picture.

It's easy to lose perspective in life.

The voices that surround us, even from loving friends and family, might get in the way of a proper perspective. The voice or voices inside of us might be a stumbling block to a proper perspective.

A proper perspective in life is found in God's Word.

"You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15 New Living Translation

This is why knowing the Scriptures is important. The Scriptures give us the proper perspective on life. Take the the Word of God out of our lives and we lose our ability to discern God's proper perspective for us.

This doesn't mean we'll always like what God's Word says, but we trust that it is his Word of life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Power to Change

Longs Peak, Colorado

Longs Peak is in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. It ranks as the fifteenth highest peak in Colorado at 14,259 feet.

What looks like it should be a fairly easy climb to the summit isn't easy at all. First of all the shortest route is still thirteen miles one way. The elevation gain on the popular Key Hole Route is 5,100 ft., and the easiest climb is a class 3 climb. There are no class 1 routes to the top.

Given all of these facts there is still something that tugs at me to climb Longs Peak.

The route of growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ isn't easy. I'm not talking about salvation. Christ did it all for us. His death, his resurrection and his washing of us in baptism are his acts not ours. Luther said it well in the Small Catechism, "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord..."

Growing as a follower of Jesus is a life of change and change isn't easy. Yet there is something (or Someone) that tugs on me to grow as Christ's disciple.

"Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 3:2 God's Word to the Nations

Repentance, the act of changing, is a gift of faith and faith is a gift from God. Belief in the abundant forgiveness of God changes the way we think. Yet this change is difficult. Repentance is a daily act of faith. God's Word confronts us with our need for change and it provides the power for that change.

Change may be difficult, yet change (not perfection) is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Not Broken

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The age old philosophical question is, if a tree falls in the forest and there's no one to hear it does it make a sound? A scientist might say, "stupid question." A pragmatist might say, "who cares?" A therapist might say, "it's not the sound that's important but the fact that a tree has fallen."

Those of you who know me probably aren't surprised that I fall into the last category. Of course it's important if a tree falls in the forest, and it's not a stupid question. To make the sound a tree had to be broken.

Given enough time all of these trees will fall. Age and gravity guarantee it.

We're all broken trees. We all are captivated by sin.

"Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God's glory. They receive God's approval freely by an act of his kindness through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free from sin." Romans 3:23-24 God's Word to the Nations

Thank God that the end of our story is not that we have been broken by sin. The end of the story is that God raises us up and causes us to stand through that tree that stands for all eternity; the cross of Jesus. His condemnation to death is our sentence of life.

We will never fall to eternal death and decay. Through their adoption into Christ, "trees" don't fall, they live now and for eternity.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Beauty of the Sunrise.

Estes Park, Colorado

I don't sleep like I did when I was a teenager. When I was young waking up at noon wasn't unheard of, but  now sleeping until 7:00 am is a struggle.  

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 was one of those days. I was attending a pastor's conference at the YMCA camp in Estes Park, Colorado. I opened my curtains at 5:45 am and was greeted with this amazing sunrise. I quickly put on my clothes, grabbed my ever-present camera and tried to find a good spot to take this picture.

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8 New Living Translation

There's something fresh about the morning. The sky looks different. The world looks different. Life looks different. The morning is a good time to hear of the "unfailing love" of God.

God's unfailing love for you allows you to start each day new. The forgiveness of Christ doesn't mean that the new day is a "do over." It's a start over. God remakes our past through the gift of forgiveness. In the Christian community we call that redemption.

Morning gives evidence of the ever-present redemption of Christ.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

What Makes Your Eyes Shine?

Estes Park, Colorado

There is truth in the old cliche that the eyes are the window to the soul. When they shine it's because of something happening deep inside of us.

"The instructions of the LORD are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the LORD is radiant. It makes the eyes shine." Psalm 19:8 God's Word to the Nations

It's foreign for us to think that God's commands cause our eyes to shine. Our number one response to God's commands is to run and hide. We know our failure to do what God asks us to do.

In verse twelve of Psalm 19 David admits that he is not perfect as he begs God to forgive his "hidden faults." He understood that perfection was not the goal. Only One has lived the perfect life and he did it for you and me. Not only does he live the perfect life for us but Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, has forgiven us for all our sin.

With God's mercy covering us, we delight in the commands of God.  God's commands are "radiant." Our hearts thrill to do what gladdens God's heart.

Knowing the forgiving love of God deep in the core of our being, and delighting in his ways makes our eyes shine.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Life in the Desert

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan, Colorado

For a person growing up surrounded by Douglas Fir, Cedar and Hemlock trees, the desert has been quite a change. It is tempting to say that the desert lacks life but that would be based on my past experiences of what life looks like.

The desert is filled with life.

"He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water." Psalm 107:35 English Standard Version

Now it's true that a trip through the Paint Mines is rather dry. There are no "pools of water" but what little water does fall on this land keeps it alive...and thriving.

Though we might compare our lives to that of a desert, God provides his water that brings life on this journey. Today you and I experience life because of the desert through which Jesus walked. On the cross Jesus cried, "I thirst." Because of his thirst you and I know the refreshing taste of his "springs of water"

I don't know what your desert looks like, but I know mine. May you find life in your desert through Jesus.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Looking for the Yellow Brick Road

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan, Colorado

One of my favorite scenes in the Wizard of Oz was when Dorothy reached Oz and everything changed to color. Having flown away from Kansas in black and white, she enters the world of color as her house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. The yellow brick road was really yellow and not some shade of gray.

Dorothy was filled with hope when she learned that the yellow brick road would lead to city of Oz and to the Wizard who lived there. He could return her to Kansas, for "there's no place like home."

We human creatures spend a great deal of time looking for the yellow brick road.

"Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God." Psalm 42:5 God's Word to the Nations

There is only one yellow brick road and it is the road of Christ. It is a road that both leads to him and a road that flows from him because Jesus himself is the road. He leads us not to Oz, but into the presence of his Father where we experience grace, mercy and forgiveness. It is the road of hope.

There is no longer a need for any of us to look for the yellow brick road. Instead we look to Jesus who was crucified for his wandering Munchkins.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Touch of God

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Calhan, Colorado

We have a love affair with rainbows. Many of us can remember driving down the highway and mom or dad's excitement when they pointed out a rainbow. We'd hope to see a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.

A rainbow is where God touches his creation.

"O LORD, bend your heaven low, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke." Psalm 144:5 God's Word to the Nations

Along with the psalmist, we invite God to touch the mountains, we also invite him to touch the valleys, to touch the prairie, to touch our lives. Something happens when God touches his creation.

Before our invitation is extended God already bent his heavens and touched his creation. His touch came in the form of cross. And with that cross comes the promise of God's eternal bending to his his people in mercy.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Damaged Goods?

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Every other tree is straight except the oldest tree. This tree has experienced life and with this life comes character.  All the other trees are scrawny and straight, but not this old pine which probably gave birth to the other trees.

There is a story in this old pine. This old pine has weathered many a storm and its character shaped by those storms.

Day by day our character is shaped by the storms of life.

"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 New English Translation

Too often we ask the wrong question of Romans 8:28. This verse doesn't answer the question "why", but "what". When we ask God "why" it usually means we want to argue with him because we don't like what is happening in our lives.

The question "what" accepts the reality of the storms (doesn't mean we like them) and recognizes the fact that God shapes our character through these storms, and in shaping our character, God uses us to influence others. Seen through Jesus' cross we understand that God works through our storms.

So, you are not damaged goods but people who are shaped by God to make a impact in life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Enjoying the Journey.

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

We're so busy getting from point A to point B that we miss the journey.

In the nearly fifteen years that I've lived in Colorado my family and I have made plenty of trips to Oregon. My Dodge Stratus, which we purchased just previous to our move to Colorado Springs, has over 300,000 miles on it. (No, that is not a typo.) When you make that many trips it's easy to take for granted the sights along the way.

Making this journey through Fox Run Regional Park is not about getting from point A to point B. It's about the hike itself.

"And so I walk in the LORD's presence as I live here on earth!" Psalm 116:9 New Living Translation

One of the joys of living with the promise of heaven is that we experience a taste of paradise now. The psalmist proclaimed that he walked in the presence of the Lord.  We live with the same promise.

Today you walk with Christ. It's not about where you're going today but with whom you are walking so enjoy the journey.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Our Happy Place

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Looking at this picture makes me think of Bobby McFerrin's song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." The Garden of the Gods is my happy place.There's nothing majestic about this picture, nothing that says I should enlarge, mat, frame and hang it on my wall. 

Given all the massive rock formations in the Garden, this picture is simple. It is calming. The trail is smooth and level. The trees and shrubs communicate a sense of being rapped in a blanket. The sky is soft.

Greater than a walk in the Garden of the Gods is the presence of God in our lives.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 New Living Translation

Peter knew what he was talking about. He was thrown in jail, beaten and ridiculed for his belief that Jesus was the Messiah. Eventually he would hang upside down on a cross because of this calming relationship he had with Jesus.

If you're wondering whether God cares for you look to the cross. God's Son bleeds for you. He dies for you and he lives for you. God can be trusted and if he can be trusted then it's worth casting our anxieties, worries and cares on his shoulders.

A relationship with Jesus Christ takes us beyond worry. In Jesus we find rest for our souls. Now that's a happy place.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Joy in the Morning

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Anger seems rampant in society.

• Killings on our campuses
• Nasty political advertisements
• Animal cruelty

However, we don't need to read the headlines or watch the evening news to recognize the over abundance of anger. We only have to look inside of ourselves.

• The verbal barrage aimed at a spouse
• The slamming of doors when things don't go our way
• Depression, the internalizing of anger

Is God angry?

"For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5 English Standard Version

We are quick to ascribe love to God, but not anger. The evidence of God's anger is Jesus' cross. God's anger at how sin has destroyed what he declared good weighed on Jesus' cross. Feeling the embers of God's anger Jesus yell, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."

As the Psalmist states, the anger of God only lasts for a moment.  It was the moment of the cross that satisfied the anger of God and now you and I live in the dawn of Jesus' redeeming work.  And in the dawn of Jesus' redeeming work is joy.

Being clothed with Christ means that God isn't angry with us. His joy is new every morning.

This picture of Pikes Peak ought to reminded us of the reality of God's love.  This mountain has been here long before us and will remain long after we're gone.  So it is with God's favor upon his people, upon you.  Because of Jesus, God's favor lasts an eternity.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Casting a Long Shadow

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

Shadows don't have substance. As I hiked this trail I couldn't scoop up a handful of shadow and blow it into the wind. I couldn't pick the shadow and bring it home to be placed in a vase for my wife. Yet the effect of a shadow is real.

We covet shadows for their protection from the blazing sun. When wondering in the woods shadows help determine the time of day.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Colossian Christian, "For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong." Colossians 2:5 New Living Translation

Paul cast his shadow over the New Testament church. His influence was known in Colossae when he was jailed in Rome. His guidance to the Corinthians was needed when he resided in Ephesus. He was a wanted man in Macedonia when he was in Asia Minor.

How far is your shadow cast?  It's probably cast further than you think. A kind word to a stressed clerk might mean better sleep for that clerk later that night. A visit with a grieving family might influence someone to care for the elderly.

When we pick up our cross and follow Jesus we cast a long shadow of influence.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Standing for a Purpose

Fox Run Regional Park, Black Forest, Colorado

These trees look like they're about to fall over to person who doesn't understand roots. There are times when these Ponderosa Pine trees are battered by the wind and yet they stand. And as they stand against these storms, they continue to live and produce pine cones that bring continued life to the Black Forest.

"And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward." Isaiah 37:31 English Standard Version

The Bible often speaks of the "remnant" of God's people. In the Old Testament those Israelites who remained faithful to God's covenant were the remnant. This remnant of God's people bore their roots deep into the abiding love of God and as a result they produced fruit.

God's Church is the remnant of grace. Our roots stretch deeper and deeper into the mercy of God in Jesus, soaking up nourishment from God's Word. And as a result we produce fruit that benefits the world.

You'll notice hat Isaiah doesn't tell the remnant to produce fruit, he says that they will produce fruit. That's how God's grace works. The more we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the more that God produces the fruit in us.

It is God who produces his fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

May God's Spirit grow our roots so that we might produce his fruit.

By the way, these Ponderosa Pine grow strongest when their roots grow together. Just a thought.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

An Invitation to Drink

Sylvan Lake, Colorado

This is one of my favorite pictures. You may not think it's all that great (and that's fine), but I could stare at this picture forever.

An early lesson you learn as a photographer is that you take pictures for yourself, not for others. You'll drive yourself nuts if you're thinking about what will make other people happy; if you're thinking about how many "likes" you'll get on Facebook.

This picture has a special place in my heart because I was fishing with my son, Joel, something we hadn't done together in years. We didn't use this boat, but it wouldn't have taken much for us to heed an invitation and hop in and rowing to a nice deep fishing hole.

Today we hear and invitation from Jesus.

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." John 7:37 English Standard Version

A couple of verses later we'll hear that we're to drink of the Holy Spirit.  On Pentecost Sunday we give thanks to God for pouring out the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and upon his church.

Today Jesus invites you and me to drink of the Holy Spirit.  When we drink of the Holy Spirit we'll be more than satisfied.  In fact, in the next verse Jesus reminds us that when we drink of the Holy Spirit a river of living water will flow out of us.  

The Holy Spirit flows into the world where God has planted us.

So today Jesus once again invites you to drink deeply of his Spirit and watch as his Spirit overflows in your life.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"There's Got to Be a Way Around This!"

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

If people have never hiked this trail they don't know where it leads. From this perspective the little jog to the left might lead people to think that they'd have to cross this mound of rocks. Anticipating that ascent might be enough for some people to climb back into their cars and head home.

Jesus saw the cross in front of him. He knew what that pile of rocks looked like and how difficult it would be to climb that pile.

Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, your will must be done, not mine." Luke 22:42 God's Word to the Nations

Jesus didn't head back to the car. He accepted the will of his Father. He gave up his life for us.

Too often we think that the Christian life depends on what we do and forget that everything we do hinges on what Jesus did for us, that's why it is called the Christian life not the human life. It isn't about the pile of rocks we climb, but that pile which Jesus climbed for us.

I'm not negating the importance of our walk in Christ. In fact, I'm emphasizing quite the opposite. Our walk in Christ is just that a life lived in Christ, not in our own power to climb the rocks of life.

As you journey through your day remember, Christ has climbed the rocks for you that you might thrive on this journey no matter the rock pile in front of you.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Assurance in the Storm

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Not long ago I wrote a blog which reflected on my experience with my friend and prayer partner, Dave. You might recall that Dave suffered a stroke on a Sunday evening in April.

God is doing an amazing work in Dave's life. He's back at work, even able to share in a home brew and cigar with good friends. He walks, talks, hugs his children and kisses his wife.

This past Tuesday Janice and I were graced to be with Dave, Jennifer and their children at their home. It was an amazing evening of eating, laughing, walking and talking.

They are thriving in the storm.

Much like this fence, life seems to lead us into storms. We don't have to ask for storms, struggles and strife. We live in a broken, sin-filled world, and as a result there will be times of pain.

"I remember the days long ago. I reflect on all that you have done. I carefully consider what your hands have made." Psalm 143:5 God's Word to the Nations

It is hard to see God, let alone his grace, in the midst of the storm. God calls us to remember his faithfulness in the past, to remember what he has done for us as we face life's struggles. With these memories we can trust that God will be faithful.

As I learned from Dave and Jennifer, God can be trusted even in the storms.

Follow this link to my previous blog on Dave's stroke.

confidence living in great unknown

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Aliens Do Exist!

Woodland Park, Colorado

This rock formation near Woodland Park, Colorado looks much like the aliens in the movie Independence Day, at least the head of one of the aliens, a head that is planted on a duck's foot. Yes, I have been accused of having an overactive imagination.

Today's blog is once again a reminder that we're aliens. This world is not our home.

However, we are not aliens in the house of God

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Ephesians 2:19 English Standard Version

So, where is our home?

If our home is this world then we are aliens to heaven; we don't understand all that God has intended for those who are members of God's household and we will not participate in this fellowship.

If our home is with Christ then we are aliens in this world. As such, our hearts are turned toward that world that is coming where we will see Jesus Christ face-to-face.

So the questions is not whether we are aliens or not, but where is it that we live as aliens? Are we aliens here on earth or aliens to heaven?

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

"I've Got My Eye on You!"

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

It looks like this Canadian honker is looking straight ahead but in reality it is paying close attention to me.This goose, along with a couple of others, had emerged from behind an old Cottonwood tree and they didn't know whether to share the trail with me or not.

When a goose has its eye on you, you had better be careful. Geese can be quite protective, so it's best to keep your distance. It is no laughing matter to be goosed.

Is that how we view God? Do we somehow think that he has his eye on us so that one day he can "goose" us?

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." Psalm 33:18-19 English Standard Version

The all-seeing eye of God is often used to instill fear in a person's life, but the all-seeing eye of God is meant to comfort us.

Yes, God's eye sees our sin. In his compassion he nailed his Son to a cross to pay for that sin. And through Jesus, the all-seeing eye of God works hope not fear for those who have faith in Christ.

God wants to deliver your soul from death. God desires to keep you alive when you experience famine of body, soul and spirit. For this reason his eye is on you.

Take comfort today that God sees you.  He delivers you.  He keeps you alive.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

The Gift of Nothingness

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

A couple of thoughts might come to your mind when you stare at this Red-tailed hawk long enough. It might instill in you a fear of the vastness of space or a sense of stillness. There is a great deal of "negative space," of nothingness in front of this hawk.

How do you handle "negative space" like that in this picture? What do you do when you have an evening of "nothing" to do?

Some of us are laughing. There is no "negative space" in our lives. We blame others or life in general for not having "negative space," but more than likely we're afraid of having nothing to do.

It is in the "negative space" where the Lord calls us to be still before him.

"Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act." Psalm 37:7 New Living Translation

Note that this hawk isn't frantically flapping its wings. It is riding the currents without effort. It is not afraid of the nothingness of the sky.

Through Jesus, God causes us to ride on the currents of his love with all the other distractions of life put aside. And, oh, what a ride it is.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR. 

Taken for Granted

Fountain Creek Regional Park, Fountain, Colorado

There is nothing spectacular about sighting a Robin in our backyards. We expect to see them tilting their heads, listening for the slightest movement that might signify breakfast. If a Red-tailed Hawk sat on our fence or a Bald Eagle soared over our house, we'd take note, but not a Robin.

Most of us reading this blog would compare ourselves to the Robin.There is nothing spectacular about us. We can't throw a 95 mph fastball, host a daytime television program or write legislation that will eradicate hunger. We change diapers, push pencils and mow yards; not front page stuff.

"Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God." Psalm 84:3 English Standard Version

Don't miss the word, "even." Sparrows and swallows are common birds. They don't grab our attention like eagles or hawks. I don't take note of swallows at my in-laws farm.  They are a nuisance. But "even" the sparrow and swallow are important to God.

And so are you. Jesus died and lives for you; "even" you.

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.